Mrs. Isabel Ann Millward

Isabel Ann Millward (known to all as “Cuddle” from birth; one should not even think of calling her Isabel), 84, wife of Richard (Dick) Millward, of Seneca, SC, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca, SC. Born in West Orange, NJ, Cuddle was the daughter of the late Stuart Reid Fleming and Alice Jane Glannan Fleming. In addition to her husband, Cuddle is survived by her son Richard Millward, Jr. and his partner Andy; son James Millward and his wife, Maureen; sister Patricia Jester and her husband Robert Jester; three grandchildren: Nicole McManus and her husband Brian, Trevor Millward and his fiancee Meghan Russell, and Brian Valeriano; and one great-granddaughter: Hallie McManus. In addition to her parents, Cuddle was preceded in death by her son, Peter Millward. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 PM on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Davenport Funeral Home, 311 S Highway 11, in West Union, SC. Cuddle and Dick were married for 65 tremendous, fun filled years, and not just as husband and wife but as best friends. They did almost everything together, and were each other’s world. It is hard to imagine a love deeper and stronger than theirs. In addition to raising a family, they traveled our country and the world extensively, experiencing all that life has to offer. They were an inseparable pair, who always held hands when they walked, and cared for each other with all their hearts. Cuddle grew up all over the United States, as her Dad, Stuart, moved the family- including Cuddle’s mom, Alice, and her sister, Tricia- as he oversaw the installation of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline. Cuddle considered it a privilege, and not a detriment, that she got to spend her years growing up in different parts of the country, meeting different people. Through it all, though, the family returned to their beloved Groton Long Point, CT- a small beach community that the family had first found when Stuart was working in nearby New London. Cuddle spent wonderful summers there throughout her life, and made many lifelong friends. She continued that tradition with her own family, as they spent many summers in GLP as well. Dick, Rick and Jamie grew to love GLP like Cuddle- and each have their own precious memories of being there. All of which were started with the roots planted by the Fleming family. Dick and Cuddle met at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA- Dick’s hometown. They quickly fell in love, with Cuddle often re-counting through the years that she came home to her college roommate after their first date and announced that she “..had just met the man she would marry”. And she was right. The two were married in 1959, and started their lives together in Texas and Oklahoma, as Dick served in the military. First son Rick arrived in 1960, and shortly after the young family moved to Pittsburgh, PA, followed by their move in 1962 to Stratford, CT where they lived and raised their family for the next 38 years. A second son, Peter, came along in 1962, but he tragically passed at a very young age. A third son, Jamie, was born in 1964, as Cuddle settled in and devoted herself to raising her young family. She was a constant and animated cheerleader for more concerts, plays and ball games than could ever be imagined. But even then, she always made time to give of herself to others. She was a devoted inner city school volunteer- a track that would see her rise to being the Head of the Connecticut School Volunteer Association. She took on governing roles in local youth athletic programs, and spent several years as President of the Boys Bronco Baseball League. Through it all, Cuddle and Dick stood side by side, and company with each other remained the highest priority. Eventually, her sons made their way through school and started their own careers. Cuddle was incredibly proud of both of them, and was never shy about telling those around her about “her boys” accomplishments. She was a loving and guiding hand to both of them throughout her life. With the boys on their own, it was time for Dick and Cuddle to start a new adventure and leave their beloved Stratford. In 2000, they built a new home in Seneca, SC and with Dick retired, set out to do all the things in life they wanted. And did they ever have a full and joyous life. Always the social ones, they met a huge group of new friends through the Newcomers Club, an activity group known as the “Roll Arounds”, and a wonderful set of new neighbors. This friend group became a foundation for days filled with outdoor activities, evenings out with friends and enjoying sporting events and shows. Golfing, hiking, boating, kayaking, white water rafting- they did it all, and they did it together. And they always made time for another new love- Clemson University. Clemson became not only a place where they had season tickets to baseball (Cuddle was huge fan and for years kept score at all the games) and football, and went to countless basketball, softball and track and field events. They also held season tickets to the Brooks Center, where they loved going to all the plays, concerts and any other entertainment that was offered. Clemson also was where Cuddle dove deep into another of her loves- gardening. She was an active and enthusiastic volunteer of the Botanical Gardens, and studied enough to be awarded a certificate as a Master Gardener by the State of South Carolina. Cuddle also had three cherished grandchildren; Nicole and her husband Brian; Trevor and his fiancee Meghan, and Brian. There was a new addition to the family this February: a new great grandchild, Hallie. Summer plans to come up and see the baby did not happen, but Cuddle loved face timing and getting new baby pictures sent to her on the rolling display of digital photos. Not a card or a note was ever sent by Cuddle to the grand kids that did not include “squeezies and smackers” – her special love phrase. She also adored Jamie’s wife, Maureen, and always would tell him that Maureen was the best thing that ever happened to him. During quiet times at home, Cuddle would look for any type of sport on TV she could find, devour books at a record clip and indulge in another of her favorite hobbies- knitting. She knit beautiful blankets and cover ups, sweaters and hats for family and friends- she always had several projects going. Never one to forget about others, she also constantly knit hats for kids in the community who might not ever have a hat made with love like Cuddle’s was. Those hats were knit by the hundreds. One man who Cuddle and Dick met when they arrived in South Carolina was a young doctor named Dr. Jaymi Meyers. Dr. Meyers cared for both of them from the time they arrived, and continued as their primary physician even as his practice shifted to palliative and hospice care. Cuddle loved Dr. Meyers, and trusted him completely. The family would like to thank Dr. Meyers, and his entire team, especially those at Cottingham House, for their love, care and support, not only of Cuddle, but the entire family. We could not have managed without you. Cuddle’s life was full of love, laughs and life’s experiences. She would have wanted each of us to fondly remember the wonderful times we had with her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the South Carolina Botanical Gardens, 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC 29631.

Mrs. Isabel Ann Millward

January 8, 1940 - July 6, 2024